Statement on Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court

Chairman Grassley generously afforded Dr. Ford and Judge Kavanaugh an equal opportunity to speak before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee and the American people. We heard directly from Dr. Ford and Judge Kavanaugh in yesterday’s hearing.

So here’s what we know:

No corroborating evidence has been presented in support of these accusations. Judge Kavanaugh has been both categorical and consistent in his denial. While Dr. Ford did identify three witnesses, each of these witnesses have stated under penalty of perjury that the events did not occur. This further corroborates Judge Kavanaugh’s testimony.

While Senate Democrats continue clamoring for further FBI investigation, let’s look at what has happened. Judge Kavanaugh has been investigated by the FBI six times, more than any Supreme Court nominee in history. If Senate Democrats wanted to get to the truth, they would have immediately provided the information only they received to both the FBI and the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee. Senator Feinstein instead held onto Dr. Ford’s letter for six weeks before it was leaked to the press.

When Chairman Grassley found out about Dr. Ford’s letter through the media, he moved with a sense of urgency to institute a full committee investigation. Senate Democrats on the committee chose not to participate. It is clear that the demands for an FBI investigation are nothing more than an orchestrated effort to delay and push this decision past November’s election.

Shame on the U.S. Senate if it puts political self-interest before its Constitutional duty. The presumption of innocence is a cornerstone of our democracy. It’s at the heart of what makes America exceptional. The committee has voted to move Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination forward, and it is time to take a vote before the full U.S. Senate. It is time to put Democrats’ partisan delays behind us. It is time for Judge Brett Kavanaugh to be confirmed to the United States Supreme Court.